Illuminated sign



June 7, 1932. c. F. HoLMAN ILLUMINATED SIGN Filed Julg,r 19, 1950 A TTORNEY.

Patented June 7, 1932 UNITED STATES CECIL F. HOLMAN, OF KANSASl CITY, MISSOURI ILLUMINATED SIGN y Application led July 19, 1930. Serial No. 468,104.

My invention relates, generally, to improvements in illuminating devices and, particularly, to a device of this character for illuminating street numbers on buildings, houses, and other structures.

The object of the invention is to provide a lamp housing with a detachable front member having facility for carrying a plurality of stencil plates of numbers corresponding to street numbers of buildings and the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide the frame with a glass closure behind the stencil plates to prevent dust and moisture from entering the housingand to allow illumination of the numbers on the stencil plates.

Another object of the invention is to provide the frame with interchangeable stencil plates.

I attain these objects and other advantages by means of the combination of parts illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which- Figure l is a front elevation of a device embodying my invention, and showing the same in operative position.

Figure 2 is a sectional view of the complete device, on the line 2 2 on Fig. l, and showing the assembly of the lamp housing.

Figure 3 is an end view of the device.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through one end of the lamp housing.

Similar numerals of reference refer to corresponding parts throughout the several views.

The numeral l designates an elongated metal housing in which is stationed an electric lamp 2. The housing has a back wall 3, top and bottom walls 4, and end walls 5. A flange 6 is formed by each end wall 5 for the purpose of supporting a front closure member 7 which is detachably mounted on the housing.

The front closure member comprises a metal frame 8 having on its inner sides and ends a shoulder 9 adapted to support a glass plate l0, or other transparent substance, preferably ground glass of any desirable color. On the fra-me and over the glass plate are transversely secured in a detachable manner a series 0f stencil plates l1 which are M held in place by screws l2 which pierce the stencil plates and penetrate the frame. f The stencil plates are made of metal, preferably copper because of its well known durability. Metal transverse plates 13 are detachably secured on the frame in close relation to the ends of the series of stencil plates. The stencil plates have openings le individually describing a numeral, in this instance, 5, 1, 7, thus indicating the street number of a. house or other structure. The front closure member is detachably secured on the flanges 6 of the housing by screws l5 which pierce the plates 13, frame 8, and penetrates the flanges 6. rIhe metal plates 13 are fastened to the frame by screws 16 which pierce the plates and penetrate the frame.

The illuminating device is novel and useful and may be installed on new and old structures to visibly -display the street nurnber at night. It may be installed or built-in at a low cost and can be illuminated by a small electric lamp where a lighting circuit is available, or by any other means of illuminating the device, such as oil or fluid lamps and gas jets. The stencil plates may be arranged to display any desired number by interchange or substitution of the plates and which may be accomplished without removal fro ,i the housing of the closure member.

Having described my invention what I claim isl. ln an illuminated device, a housing having a detachable front closure, said closure comprising a frame having a shoulder portion extending around the inner sides and ends of the frame, a plate of transparent substance supported by the shoulder on the frame, a series of individual stencil plates detachably secured on said frame above said transparent plate and having individual openings describing digits and collectively describing a number, and lighting means within the housing to illuminate the openings in the stencil plates, said stencil plates extending beyond the transparent substance to Overlap the frame and having interconnecting means extending through the stencil plates and into said frame whereby to supvee port the transparent substance therebetween.

2. An illuminated display device comprising a housing; a detachable front closure including a frame having a continuous shouldered portion extending around the inner sides and ends thereof; a transparent plate supported by the shoulder on the frame; a series of individual stencil plates detachably secured on said frame adjacentsaid transparent plates; an individual opening describing a digit formed through each stencil plate respectively; inwardly formed flanges on each end of the said housing; an end plate overlying the edge of said housing,'an edge of said frame and a portion of said transparent plate adjacent each end respectively thereof; screws passing through said end plate7 frame and into said inwardly formed flange; screws securing said end plates to said housing; and illuminating means Within the housing to illuminate the openings in said stencil plate through said transparent plate.

Dated, Kansas City, Mo., July 8, 1930.

CECIL F. HOLMAN. 

